Global Rice News

Punjab Chief Minister Approves Schemes to Boost Agricultural Prosperity

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given her approval to a number of schemes aimed at improving the prosperity of farmers and the agricultural sector in the province. These schemes include the paving of watercourses, farm mechanisation, research and development for quality seeds, and the provision of solar tube wells.

During a meeting focused on the development of the agriculture sector, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the Green Punjab…Prosperous Farmers Programme.

One of the initiatives is to pave 1,200 watercourses at a cost of Rs10 billion. The chief minister has directed officials to pave and rehabilitate all watercourses in Punjab over the next five years.

Under the farm mechanisation programme, 56 types of agricultural machinery and 1,000 laser levelers will be purchased and provided to farmers at a 60% subsidy within three months. In a two-year mechanisation plan, 23,000 agricultural implements and 2,280 laser land levelers will be given at a cost of Rs13.4 billion.

Solar systems will be provided to farmers with land holdings of up to 25 acres within two years.

In a detailed briefing on various projects for the uplift of the sector, the provincial agriculture secretary proposed increasing seed production from 400,000 tonnes to 600,000 tonnes.

The meeting also discussed a plan to cultivate soybean seed on 100,000 acres in collaboration with the University of Agriculture Faisalabad.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was informed about the high tax and duty on the import of high-tech agricultural machinery, amounting to 30 to 37%. She pledged to approach the federal government to waive these taxes and duties in order to promote the development of agriculture in the province.

Furthermore, she agreed to contact the federal government to exempt rice straw shredder machines from taxes, with the aim of curbing smog and preventing crop residue burning.

The agriculture secretary highlighted that Pakistan needs 29 million tonnes of wheat annually, while Punjab produces 26 million tonnes. However, manual sowing has led to a decrease of 12% in wheat yield and 18% in rice yield.

The meeting was attended by various senior ministers, including Marriyum Aurangzeb, Azma Zahid Bukhari, and Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, as well as other senior officials.

Meeting Participants Propose Action Against Illegal Allotment of Pink Rock Salt

During a separate meeting on mines and minerals projects, participants decided to take legal action against illegal allotment related to pink rock salt. They also proposed a ban on the export of raw pink rock salt and suggested establishing a value-added industry using the revenue generated from it.

In the meeting, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz requested a comprehensive plan for the development of value-added products, emphasizing the need for the use of advanced technology to combat corruption in the department.

The chief minister also urged the launch of a raw iron mining project in Chiniot within one week and approved funds worth Rs250 million for labor welfare projects of the Punjab Mines and Minerals Department.

She emphasized that international investors would be invited to participate in the auction of mines, ensuring that national assets are not sold at a low price. The auction process will be conducted through open auction to promote transparency.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that the government aims to attract foreign direct investment and generate opportunities for international investors in the province. She also announced that funds will be provided for 18 development schemes in the department.

To recover an outstanding amount of Rs4 billion from contractors who extracted limestone from the Margalla Hills, the chief minister ordered prompt action. Additionally, she requested a plan to increase the department’s revenue.

The chief minister directed the department to ensure the implementation of safety laws to protect laborers working in mines.

Source: The Express Tribune